Hurricane Florence - Page 2

HarmanKardon · #1 09-14-2018, 02:03 AM

Can anybody tell me why a lot (most?) of American houses are built like houses of cards?

A lady - living close to the landfall area - has been interviewed and told the reporters that she will not leave her house, she feels totally safe because it is 150 years old. In the background one could see it. A nice red house built of sturdy material, probably stone.

However - I really hope that here will be only material loss, and no casualties...

Oerets · #2 09-14-2018, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

Can anybody tell me why a lot (most?) of American houses are built like houses of cards?

Could be the fact regulation, oversight cost money to the builders. Allowing short cuts cheaper materials. Who then pass the savings along to the consumer. Who both roll the dice hoping to win and a day will never come like this one.

That's my guess any way.

donquixote99 · #3 09-14-2018, 06:08 AM

Right on the coast, codes mandate new construction be fortress-like. Recently stayed in N. Myrtle Beach. The sliding glass doors leading to the balcony were so heavy one could hardly move them.

Most of US construction, unlike in Europe, dates to after the time of manufactured dimensional lumber and the nailed frame walls it makes possible. That's why the thinner walls, compared to joined timber or solid masonry.

HarmanKardon · #4 09-14-2018, 12:39 PM

Another very funny issue is the high-voltage lines, mostly on ridiculous "wooden sticks". Billions and billions of tax payers money disappears in senseless military stuff insted of modernizing the supply of electricity.

I think this is one of the funniest issues when it comes to the "greatest" nation on earth.

Pio1980 · #5 09-14-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarmanKardon

Another very funny issue is the high-voltage lines, mostly on ridiculous "wooden sticks". Billions and billions of tax payers money disappears in senseless military stuff insted of modernizing the supply of electricity.

I think this is one of the funniest issues when it comes to the "greatest" nation on earth.

Certainly a fair amount of infrastructure inertia. Money spent, working fine, it's not broken, until it breaks.